In Toronto this week or weekend? Consider checking some Christmas shopping off the list at the annual One of a Kind Show.
The huge show, with approximately 800 vendors of high-quality contemporary crafts and food, can be overwhelming. Luckily, FashionMagazine.com has done some of the legwork for you, choosing eight stylish Canadian-made gifts. (more…)
Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata. Photo credit: Dean Carr.
Friday, Nov. 4
The Hills are Alive with the sound of… rock, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and country! If you’re a fan of the classic Julie Andrews movie, you’ll love the sounds of the Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata, playing at the Rainbow. The newly-formed group will be adapting 14 classic Rodgers and Hammerstein songs from The Sound of Music by blending genres and popular songs. This performance may just become one of your “favourite things.”
Looking to get a head start on your Christmas shopping? Make your way to the Ten Thousand Villages Festival. This annual sale supports projects in developing countries and sells hand-crafted goods from around the world, including musical instruments, pottery, carvings, brassware, ornaments, toys, and jewellery. If you get hungry, enjoy lunch, dinner, or afternoon tea at the café that sells homemade goods. Sale runs Fridays and Saturdays until Nov. 26.
Into film festivals? Indie movies? Or maybe just free entertainment? If so, you’re in for a treat as IFCO’s Indie Filmmaker Series presents the Experimental Documentary Short Films of Mike Rollo. The Montreal-based filmmaker’s work has been shown at festivals and galleries around the world, and his recent film, Ghosts and Gravel Roads, was named one of Canada’s Top Ten Shorts of 2008 by the Toronto International Film Festival Group. You will have the unique opportunity to see six of his latest short films that experiment with “new approaches to documentary and sound space.”
Saturday, Nov. 5
No matter your age, everyone enjoys a good story. Celebrate this age-old art at the Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival, which will feature an afternoon of free activities, live performances and, of course, storytelling. The tales told at this fest include a wide range of subjects (from the real to the fantastical) and cater to all ages, encouraging and cultivating young minds and teaching them the art and enjoyment of spinning a good yarn. (more…)
Beautiful baubles by Jen Ellis at Portobello Petite
August 4 to 27
There’s a new pop up shop in town: Portobello Petite, a mini version of the popular Portobello West Fashion + Art Market. This cute space showcases clothing, chocolates, jewellery (including pieces by Jen Ellis, pictured) and creations for kids by talented local artists and artisans. On Aug. 27 the store closes to rejoin the main market for the final summer show.—Jennifer Patterson
Portobello Petite, 186 Kingsway.
Bogside Gallery
• Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia on Spring Garden Road: Every item is made in the Maritimes. Offerings run the gamut: pottery, pewter, woolens, woodwork, jewellery, Nova Scotia tartan items and clothing.
• Bogside Gallery in The Hydrostone on Young Street: Unique gifts from East Coast artisans; pottery, pewter, wood and so much more. Open daily.
• Murphy’s Company Store on Lower Water Street: Handicrafts from Nova Scotian artists, gifts, t-shirts, Anne of Green Gables collectibles, nautical items and souvenirs.
Opens Jan 26 — Casting On: Knitting in Manitoba features historical pieces from The Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library’s collection and contemporary submissions from local knitting community. 183 Kennedy Street, 204-487-6117.
Nestled in The Hydrostone neighbourhood on Young Street, Bogside Gallery is a unique shopping
destination. It showcases creations from Atlantic Canadian artisans: art pieces, décor accents, carvings, sculptures and more.
Japanese cuisine at ShuRaku Sake Bar & Bistro. Photo by KK Law
1 Lululemon stores, all of which offer free yoga classes every week.
2 Spying the giant tree at English Bay all lit up for the season.
3 The Lamplighter. This Gastown pub celebrated its 85th birthday last month.
4 Decking the halls with adorable holiday decorations from HomeSense.
5 Maple-leaf-adorned red mittens, ideal for winter and just $10 at The Bay. Proceeds go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
6 Stocking up on swimwear for holiday getaways at Just Cruisin’ Shoppe. (more…)
More than 40 heritage buildings comprise this pedestrian-only assemblage of shops, galleries and restaurants located on the former site of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery at 55 Mill Street.
Click on any map marker for more information on Where’s neighbourhood favourites.
Avril Loreti offers Toronto-landmark napkins at the One of a Kind Show
MARCH 31 TO APRIL 4 For five fantastic days, spring shoppers are invited to indulge acquisitive urges by perusing the wares of more than 450 Canadian artisans at the One of
a Kind Spring Show and Sale. Though housed in a massive exhibition hall, this is no department store shopping excursion: face-to-face interaction with the creators of handcrafted jewellery, clothing, home decor pieces, visual art, toys, organic food items and beauty products adds a personal touch—the makers are often eager to share the stories behind their unique goods. Among the pick-up possibilities are charming hats by This is J, aromatherapy candles from Golden Goose Naturals and napkins with local landmarks by Avril Loreti. Exhibition Place, Direct Energy Centre, $6.50 to $12; call 416-960-4515 or check out this site for more information and tickets.
First Nations artifacts on display at Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum
A new display of aboriginal crafts and items for everyday use premieres this summer at the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum. This collection of 120 artifacts was assembled by Calgarian Eva Hunt during her mid 1900s tenure as a teacher at the McDougall School in Morley, a Stoney-Nakoda First Nations community situated halfway between Banff and Calgary. The exhibit includes moccasins, a carved rocking horse, moss bags (baby swaddles that function as diapers), and a miniature corral. “Eva is a remarkable person,” says historian Anthony Starlight. “She donated these treasures to our museum because she felt this would be the most appropriate place for them to be displayed.”—JN
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